Oasis founder Steve Chalke MBE has his sights set on reclaiming his Guinness World Record for raising the most money in a marathon after he lost his entry in the record books to Sir Steve Redgrave, who was announced last week as the new Guinness World Record holder for the same category.
Chalke will make his attempt to set a new record and break the £2m barrier in pledges when he runs in the 2007 Flora London Marathon on 22 April.
In 2005, Chalke set the official record for the marathon, raising £1.25m for the work of Oasis - the charity he founded in 1985. One year later, in 2006, Redgrave raised nearly £1.8m for the Steve Redgrave Foundation, securing his spot in the Guinness Book of Records in place of Chalke.
Chalke, however, commended his fundraising rival: "Sir Steve has done a great job. His extraordinary achievement has made a huge difference to so many people, and is an inspiration to me.
"But now I'm more fired up than ever to take my record back," he said.
Now Chalke is appealing for even more pledges to support the work of Oasis.
"We're doing really well, but it's not in the bag yet. I'm optimistic, but it all comes down to what happens in the next couple of weeks - every penny needs to be pledged before I cross that start line, in order to count towards the final total. So my message is, please get behind me and give."
The money raised by Chalke will go towards the five new Oasis academies currently being developed across the country, the first three of which are due to open in September. "Even a pledge of a few pounds will make a real difference," he said.
Oasis was founded by Chalke in 1985 and has grown to more than 10 countries across the globe, providing housing, healthcare and education to some of the world's most disadvantaged people.
To support Chalke's world record attempt go to: www.oasisuk.org/marathon. Or to donate by text message: just text marathon to 84459 to make a £3 donation to Steve's bid for reclaiming the world record.
